Cara Therapeutics Inc. reported positive results from a Phase II study for its lead drug candidate, formulated to relieve pain following surgery.
Shelton-based Cara Therapeutics enrolled more than 200 women undergoing a laparoscopic hysterectomy in the study, including some administered a placebo. Those who received Cara Therapeutics”™ CR845 treatment reduced their morphine use by a third compared to those in the placebo group, and the company said other beneficial effects included a decrease in nausea and other side effects.
“Postoperative pain is still poorly managed and there is a need for novel anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs for perioperative pain management,” said Dr. Tong Gan, the study”™s principal investigator who is professor of anesthesiology and vice chair for clinical research at Duke University. “This new class of (drug) can potentially be used ”¦ to improve postoperative pain and reduce the need for morphine and other opioids.”
In May, Cara Therapeutics said it had awarded exclusive rights to market CR845 in South Korea, without revealing the transaction terms with a company based there.
